At least 11 university students have died by suspected suicide in New Zealand since 2015

University of Otago had the highest number of suspected suicides by students, with four last year, and one each in 2015 and 2016.

Only one was a first year student; the rest were spread over second, third, fourth and postgraduate study.

That included recruiting more mental health nurses, social workers, counsellors, occupational therapists and psychologists.

57 per cent increase in direct contact with students compared to last year.

55 per cent increase in counselling and mental health appointments in the semester one pre-exam period of May 2018 compared to the same period last year.

The seven universities reported comprehensive health services, some of which had been upgraded to cater for the increasing mental health demand.

Universities have limited resources for dealing with anxiety and depression, (generally students are only entitled to four couselling sessions at Victoria University)

free resilience app available to all students

Lincoln University said it had established a new wellbeing co-ordinator role and was working with Universities New Zealand which was undertaking a nationwide project focusing on mental health.

Staff put the increase down to higher levels of distress following the Canterbury earthquakes, feeling lonely, disconnected or experiencing bullying, issues with housing and poverty, stress, and overuse of electronic devices.

student qualified for publicly funded counselling they were only entitled to six sessions, which wasn't enough.

Social

Public awareness campaigns working to de-stigmatise mental health were also credited with more students accessing services.

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